2026 House Resolution 246

Whereas, Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) Awareness Week is observed annually during the third full week of February, coinciding with American Heart Month, to increase awareness among the public and medical professionals of a unique and underrecognized cause of heart attack that disproportionately affects women, including younger women, pregnant women, and new mothers; and

Whereas, Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection is a medical emergency that occurs when a tear forms in the wall of a coronary artery, leading to reduced or blocked blood flow to the heart and often resulting in heart attack, cardiac arrest, or sudden death; and

Whereas, SCAD is frequently misdiagnosed or dismissed, particularly in women, due to a lack of awareness and the misconception that affected patients do not fit the traditional profile for heart disease; and

Whereas, The precise causes of SCAD are not fully understood, though current research indicates associations with underlying arterial abnormalities such as fibromuscular dysplasia, genetic predisposition, hormonal influences, and inflammatory or connective tissue disorders; and

Whereas, Known risk factors for SCAD include female sex, pregnancy and the postpartum period, extreme emotional or physical stress, fibromuscular dysplasia, inherited connective tissue disorders, severe hypertension, and illicit drug use; and

Whereas, Although SCAD can affect both men and women, approximately 87 to 95 percent of documented cases occur in women, most commonly between the ages of 40 and 50, and SCAD is the leading cause of heart attacks in women under the age of fifty in the United States; and

Whereas, SCAD is the most common cause of heart attack associated with pregnancy and the postpartum period, despite many affected individuals having no prior history of cardiovascular disease or traditional risk factors; and

Whereas, Pregnancy-associated spontaneous coronary artery dissection (P-SCAD) may occur during pregnancy or after childbirth, with studies indicating that a majority of cases occur during the early postpartum period, particularly within the first week following delivery; and

Whereas, P-SCAD is frequently misdiagnosed due to limited provider awareness and because symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or fatigue may be mistakenly attributed to normal postpartum recovery; and

Whereas, Individuals who experience SCAD face a documented risk of recurrence, highlighting the need for early diagnosis, specialized cardiovascular care, long-term monitoring, and informed patient counseling; and

Whereas, Women who experience pregnancy-associated SCAD may face an increased, though not fully quantified, risk in future pregnancies, as pregnancy places substantial hemodynamic and physiological stress on the cardiovascular system, making decisions regarding future pregnancies complex and deeply personal; and

Whereas, Increased public and professional awareness of SCAD and the warning signs of heart attack can lead to earlier recognition, more appropriate treatment, improved patient outcomes, and expanded research efforts to better understand and prevent this condition; and

Whereas, Maternal cardiovascular research and education remain critical, as many women are unaware of how pregnancy and the postpartum period affect cardiovascular physiology and how to distinguish between normal pregnancy-related symptoms and those signaling cardiovascular disease; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare February 16-20, 2026, as Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection Awareness Week in the state of Michigan; and be it further

Resolved, That the House of Representatives encourages healthcare providers, researchers, advocacy organizations, and community leaders to promote education, research, and awareness of SCAD, and to support individuals and families affected by this life-threatening condition.